long may await himself. "Ah! those were terrible times," we say. with a sigh, as we mentally recount the horrors experienced by those, who lived scarce three quarters of a century ago, and bore so manfully the heat and burden of the day. Ay! those were indeed terrible times; and now and then some grey haired participator in the fearful struggle recounts "hair breadth 'scapes," which are in themselves so terrible as to make "each particular hair stand straight!"

History has perpetuated but few, and duty therefore prompts us, now and then, to save incidents from oblivion whose romantic characters partake more of the legendary than the true.

Among those who shouldered the musket, and fought for liberty and life were found the stripling of seventeen, side by side with the veteran of three score.

It so chanced that in Schuyler's army, as it accomplished its memorable retreat from Saratoga to the islands, there were three sons who, together with their old father, had enlisted but a month before. In a skirmish that had recently taken place, two of the sons, together with the father, were wounded; not dangerously, but so as to disable them from duty, and render them but burdens upon their comrades. This so wore upon the old man's mind, that it aggravated the wound he he had received, and rendered him more of an invalid than he would otherwise have been, In vain his sons reasoned with him, assuring him that the chances of fortune were beyond their control, that to be wounded in a skirmish was as honorable as in a pitched battle. Not so thought the old man. He had seen the smoke of his humble home; that home consumed by the torches of hired maurauders, and had sworn revenge beside the dying embers. His wife had sunk under the accumulated hardships of a forest life-and had died before they were left shelterless; so that now, no tie bound him to the desolate spot save the memory of the past. He had enlisted to fight, and had brought his children to participate in his revenge. If he fell, he trusted it would not be until he had written out his hate in lines of blood, and confidently hoped his fall would be doubly avenged by his children. Now, cooped up and disabled, his spirit chafed until its frettings reduced him to the helplessness of childhood. His dreams of victorious conflicts were ended, and without a blow he must droop and die, leaving to his sons as his only legacy, his deep and bitter longings for revenge.

As the weary army encamped on the green island whose waving foliage bears no record of the scenes enacted there, the old man begged to be borne near the water's edge, that he might be bathed in the cool stream. The younger son, who had escaped unhurt, took him up and carried him gently down the slope, and, having arranged a bed of straw, laid him down, while he returned to assist his brothers to recline beside their father. The day had been oppressively warm, and the cool air of evening fanned gratefully their fevered brows, as they sat, a lone family, in the camp of

Schuyler. There were visions of home-home before it was desolated; visions of the future too dreadful to anticipate, yet too real to be cast aside. Long and earnestly they communed together, and together renewed the compact into which they had entered before they enlisted, to revenge, if need be, each other's fall. The old man gazed upon his bandaged limb and groaned bitterly. For him there was left no hope of farther participation in the efforts of his countrymen, and a vague purpose to become no burden, entered his soul. If he could not fight, he could die, and strong hands would be no longer burdened with his helplessness.

The morrow might change their plans. The army might be removed, and he forced to lag in the rear, without the opportunity to return blow for blow. It was galling to the spirit of manhood to lie supinely, and look upon calamities it could not meliorate. It doubly enhanced the pains of his wounded limb, and rendered him half frantic. The taper of life already burned dim, and had he but patiently borne the afflictions heaped upon him, doubtless it would have soon expired, in quiet brilliancy-and his passing away would never have descended as a legend fraught with the daring of '76, But not so was he doomed to fall asleep. The purpose, vague at first, rapidly strengthened, until it assumed the character of heroic self-immolation. If he could not fight, the old patriot felt that he could die for his country, insomuch as he would save her from the poor task of shielding his helplessness.

During the silence that followed their colloquy the brothers became too intently occupied with their own thoughts to trace in the convulsive workings of a father's countenance, the stern purpose which had taken possession of his mind. The fulfilment followed so closely upon the resolve, that the sudden splash of the water alone aroused them. They could scarce believe the evidence of their senses. But a moment since, he was beside them-then the bubbling up of the water as it closed over him, told of his sudden exit from time to eternity. He had followed out his purpose to rid himself of life, now that that life was no longer valuable, and in so doing exhibited as heroic an instance of self-devotion as graces the page of history, though history itself has never honored him with a place in its gleanings.

NOTE. Perhaps this legend, like Homer's Iliad, gives some countenance to the cherishing of revenge, and to what heathen historians have not unfrequently considered as a noble virtue-suicide. We know well, however, such was not the author's intention, and the story is so remarkable that we thought it worthy of a place in our pages.-ED.

EPIGRAM-FROM DEVEGA.-BY S. W. PERRY.

The epigram, just like the bee
While on its way 'tis winging,
To be complete should be likewise
Little, sweet and stinging.

LITERARY NOTICES.

C. JULII CÆSARIS COMMENTARII DE BELLO GALLICO. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard.

This is the commencement of a "classical series," edited by two eminently accomplished classical scholars, (Drs. Schmitz and Zumpt,) and designed to include in it every thing that is necessary to a complete Latin course. The introduction, containing an outline of Cæsar's life, is well written, and the explanatory notes in English evince extensive learning and sound judgment, and are fitted to aid the pupil in a suitable degree, without at all superseding the necessity of his own efforts. No doubt the work will soon be introduced into many of our higher schools.

THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL: BY J. H. M'ILVANE. New York: M. W. Dodd.

This book is the product of a mind that is evidently very little satisfied to remain on the surface of things. It treats profound subjects in a profound way, and throws an air of unaccustomed originality even around the most familiar truths. There may be some difference of opinion among evangelical christians in respect to some of the author's minor positions; but all will agree that the work is eminently able, and as a whole is fitted to be eminently useful. We understand that it meets, as it deserves, a rapid and extensive sale.

ALICE GORDON, OR THE USES OF ORPHANAGE BY JOSEPH ALDEN, D. D. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Whether this work be considered in reference to the ingenuity and taste which it evinces, or the elevated tone of morality and religion which it breathes, or the exquisite style of typography which it displays, it is fairly entitled to be set down as a gem. The story is constructed with beautiful simplicity; and while it brings out with admirable effect the workings of the human heart under a great diversity of influences, it illustrates no less strikingly the workings of a guardian Providence in favor of those who acknow. ledge God in all their ways. Dr. Alden is the author of many popular works, most of which are specially designed for the young; but this bears a somewhat different character, and may be read by persons of the most mature minds with delight and profit.

BEAUTIES OF THE BIBLE, SELECTED FROM THE old and new Testaments, with various remarks and brief dissertations; designed for the use of schools and the improvement of youth: BY EZRA SAMPSON. New York: Harper & Brothers.

It is nearly half a century since this work was first published. We believe it was somewhat extensively circulated then, but for many years past, it has been rare to meet with a copy of it. Fortunately the author had so good a book to select from, that he was in little danger of going astray, but considered even as a selection from the Bible, it is excellent.

CHAMBERS' CYCLOPEDIA OF ENGLISH LITERATURE.

No 14.

This work is now within two Nos. of its conclusion. The present No. surrounds us with the great spirits of our own time, such as Macauley, Coleridge, Lockhart, Wilson, Cunningham, Talfourd, Bowring, &c., &c. It is to be borne in mind that the work gives us, with an outline of the history of each individual, a sample of the choicest of his productions.

LOUIS THE FOURTEETH AND THE COURT OF FRANCE IN THE 17TH CENTURY: BY MISS PARDOE. New York: Harper & Brothers.

This work, of which only two parts out of six have yet appeared in this country, is as fine a specimen of the lighter kind of reading, as we have often met with. As it relates to a most interesting period of French history, so the various characters and scenes which it portrays are brought out with a distinctness and impressiveness well worthy of the magnificent subject. The English press speaks of it in terms of almost unmeasured approbation.

:

THE LIFE OF MRS. GODOLPHIN BY JOHN EVELYN, of Wootton, Eng. Now first published and edited by SAMUEL, Lord Bishop of Oxford. New York: Appleton & Co.

We have here a curious and interesting relic of antiquity. It is the biography of a lady of rank, who was at home in the court of the profligate Charles II., and still, amidst all that moral darkness, was an eminent example of an intelligent and earnest piety. The original orthography of the work is preserved, and there is every thing about it to carry us back nearly two centuries. It will be alike acceptable to the devoted christian and the curious antiquary.

PICCIOLA, THE PRISONER OF FENESTRELLA; OR CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE: BY X. B. SAINTINE. A new edition, with illustrations. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard.

It is difficult to find a story more touching, thrilling, astounding, in its details, than this. It keeps one's curiosity wide awake, one's sympathies strongly enlisted from the beginning to the end of it. In this kind of writing its author has perhaps no superior. It has already had an immense circulation, and in the present beautiful edition, it is hardly possible that its circulation should flag.

NOTES ON THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD: BY RICHARD CHENEVIX FRENCH, A. M. New York: Appleton & Co.

Notwithstanding this is comparatively a new work, it has already passed through several editions in England, and has taken its place among the standard productions of the day. There is perhaps no part of scripture more difficult satisfactorily to illustrate than the parables; it requires learning, judgment and piety, admirably commingled, to be able to expound with accuracy the mind of the Spirit, speaking to us through the objects and analo. gies of nature. But in our judgment the author of the present work has done this in a way for which he ought to have the thanks of all who read and love the Bible. He has rendered an excellent service to the cause of sound biblical knowledge, as well as of practical and experimental religion.

HISTORY OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT BY MISS F. M. CAULKINS. Published by Thomas Robinson.

Well written, local histories, are of the highest interest and value. Although our country is reproached by Europeans for its deficiency in regard to the fascinations of the past, yet at the present day numerous and active ef forts are making to supply this defect. Historical societies abound, and are busily engaged in accumulating voluminous materials for future historians. All over the land traditions, facts and documents are searched out and found to be worthy of the enthusiasm and labor of those who collect them. Histo. ries of particular towns, like the present volume, are constantly issuing from the press; and the fact of publishers being found willing to undertake the requisite expense, proves that there is no lack of interest in such subjects among the public. Yet, for obvious reasons, such volumes are commonly issued from local presses, and consequently have but a limited circulation. This is somewhat an evil for the reading public in general. In his Espriella's Letters, Mr. Southey advised a foreigner in England carefully to study the county histories. It would seem from the manner in which these are perpetually referred to by English writers, that in that country their value and interest are by no means confined to the particular districts of country which they describe. So, too, with us; every intelligent traveller on arriving at a town with which he wishes to make himself acquainted, is glad to find for sale any pamphlet or volume describing it or giving its history. The more minute and full the details of such a work, the more is he gratified. He expects to light upon curious traits of manners, or facts valuable in sta. tistics, in history or in the study of the growth and progress of civilized society. Yet, in most instances, a traveller, if so fortunate as to meet with such a work, finds that it is one which he has never heard of before, and which would have remained entirely unknown to him had he remained at home. It is quite unfortunate that local histories are not more generally circulated.

But not to extend our remarks, we warmly recommend Miss Caulkins History. Norwich is well known to travellers between N. Y. and Boston for the rugged and Romantic beauty of its scenery; while men of business are also well acquainted with its enterprise and energy in commercial manufactures. But Miss C. carries us back to the times of Uncas, and Miantono